Ground Transportation

Robert Fernandez
Vice President, Direct Services, Inc.
September 3, 2014
Overview
Ground Transportation of Live Animals Within the
United States
Animal requirements
Regulations
Shippers responsibilities
Carriers responsibilities
Documentation
Liability
Ground transport carrier requirements and
characteristics
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Animal Transport Goals
Animals arrive alive and healthy
Maintain the biosecurity status
On time arrival
Meet regulatory requirements
Safe for transport personnel
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Understanding
Your Animals
In Transit
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Live Animal Requirements
Fresh air
Proper temperature
Food
Water

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Health or Biosecurity Status
Conventional
Specific Pathogen Free (SPF)
Infectious
Your ability to maintain control of the health
status includes the selection of mode, carrier
and container design.
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Infectious Live Animals
Substances (animals) containing viable microorganisms
or toxins which are known or suspected to cause
permanent disability or life-threatening or fatal disease
in animals or humans.
They are Hazardous Materials, Class 6, Division 6.2,
Category A (49 CFR 173.134)
Live animals may not be used to transport infectious
substances unless such substances cannot be sent by any
other means. An animal containing or contaminated with
an infectious substance must be transported under
terms and conditions approved by the Associate
Administrator for Hazardous Materials Safety. (49 CFR
173.196(c) )
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Transporting Animals Causes Stress
Change of environment (noise)
Change of diet
Change of light cycles
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Regulations
Regulations are the law. Fines, penalties and
potential loss of licenses for non-compliance.

They are minimum standards to follow.
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Live Animal Regulatory Agencies
USDA Animal Welfare Act

IATA Live Animal Regulations

DOT Hazardous Materials

State Departments of Health/Fish and Wildlife
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USDA Animal Welfare Act
To ensure that animals intended for use in research
facilities are provided humane care and treatment
To ensure the humane treatment of animals during
transportation in commerce
Regulated:
Hamsters, guinea pigs and rabbits
Swine
Canines
Felines
Non-human primates
Not regulated: Rats and mice
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USDA Food & Water Requirements
If animals are to be transported for a period of
more than 6 hours, the animals shall have
access to food and water or a type of food,
which provides for food and water in quantity
and quality sufficient to satisfy their food and
water needs during transit.
Food shall be offered at least every 24 hours
Water shall be offered at least every 12 hours

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USDA Transportation Standards
Observations shall be at least every 4 hours
Carriers shall not accept a shipment more than
4 hours prior to scheduled departure, but may
extend to not more than 6 hours
Shelter from:
rain and snow
direct sunlight
cold weather
45-minute transfer period allowed for sunlight and
cold weather

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USDA & IATA Container Requirements
Well constructed (Containers must be able to stand up to stacking)
Adequately ventilated
A size suitable for the species (size standards)
Safe for the animals
Must keep the animal inside at all times
Clean, and if reused, disinfected (biosecurity concerns)
Food and water must be available
Labeling:
Live Animals
Directional arrows
SPF containers:
filters to prevent contaminant entry into the containers
SPF labels
Viewing window

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USDA Transportation Standards
The cargo space must be designed, constructed,
and maintained in a manner that protects the
health and well-being of the animals
transported in them, ensures their safety and
comfort, and prevents the entry of engine
exhaust from the primary conveyance during
transportation
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USDA Transportation Standards
The animal cargo space must have a supply of air
that is sufficient for the normal breathing of all
the animals being transported in it
The interior of the animal cargo space must be
kept clean
The air temperature around any live (animal) in
any holding area shall not be allowed to fall below
45F nor be allowed to exceed 85F at any time.
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USDA Required Disaster Planning
USDA/Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
(APHIS) requires facilities and carriers to have a
Disaster Plan
Basic elements:
What type of disaster should be expected
Who does what in an emergency?
What materials will be needed? Are they available?
Communications
Training in the plan is required
Annual plan review

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The Shipper is Responsible
For compliance with the Animal Welfare Act
For the health and welfare of the animals
For planning the entire route (door-to-door)
For any special care required (pregnant animals)
To provide the details of the animals being shipped (type, number,
gender of mammals)
To obtain all documents and correct information (health
certificates, permits)
To provide suitable containers
To provide food, water, and bedding during the entire transit and
document same
For contingency planning
For the actions of their agents (carriers) in complying with the
Animal Welfare Act
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The Carrier is Responsible
For compliance with the Animal Welfare Act
For the health and welfare of the animals
To know the transportation requirements of a
shipment prior to acceptance
To provide suitable transport arrangements
To provide appropriate transport conveyances
To verify all required documents are present
To meet all regulatory requirements
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Documentation
Every shipment requires a shipping document:
Describing the type and number of animals
Stating the origin and destination (with contact
information)
Health certificate from a veterinarian
Any required state permits
For USDA regulated shipments:
the appropriate RECORD OF ACQUISITION,
DISPOSITION OR TRANSPORT
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Liability
Carriers are not liable for loss due to natural
causes or the inherent nature of the shipment
Loss is usually limited to a value less than the
shippers value
Stated in the contract (tariff)
Negotiated
Not all carriers may have live cargo insurance
Verify by reviewing the Certificate of Insurance

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Transport Plan
The transport plan must address:
Temperature
Fresh air
Food and water
Appropriate containers
Segregation requirements
Distance/Transit duration requirements
Contingency planning
Documentation
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Ground Transport Characteristics
More environmental control than air transport
Temperature (smaller variation)
Disinfection (cargo and holding areas sanitized before
each use)
Larger quantities can be shipped together
Personnel trained for specific commodity
Air has ground components (from and to the
airport)
Ground transport can be more expensive than air
for smaller, long-distance shipments
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Ground Transport Characteristics
No bumping (other animal shipments, pets,
and human cadavers can take precedence in
air transport)
Not subject to temperature embargo
Segregation of shipments (can transport on an
exclusive-use basis; without any other freight)

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Ground Carrier Requirements
Carriers must be registered with USDA for
regulated animal carriage
Subject to USDA inspections
Interstate carriers must be registered with U.S.
Department of Transportation (DOT)
Assigned a U.S. DOT number
Insurance requirements
Liability
Cargo
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Ground Carrier Requirements
DOT safety regulations are administered by
the Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration (FMCSA)
Road safety checks (performed by state agencies)
Safety Measurement System utilizes road safety
inspections to target scrutiny towards poorer
performing carriers (more road checks)
Safety-deficient carriers subject to rigorous audits
Unsafe carriers are shut down
SAFER scores are available at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov
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Typical Ground Carrier Network Design
Hub and spoke distributions system utilizing
appropriately-sized vehicles to provide coverage
throughout the carriers service area
Line-haul runs between hubs and plants
Delivery runs from hubs and plants
Hubs equipped with:
Temperature controlled holding areas
Temperature alarms
Security systems
Hot-shot special delivery runs on demand
Team-operated runs across the country
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Tractor and Temperature Controlled Trailer
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Primary Temp-Control System
Backup Temp-Control System
Dual Refrigeration System Trailer
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Primary Unit
Backup Unit
Dual Refrigeration System Truck
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Sprinter Van
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Sprinter Van - Interior
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Properly Loaded Cartons Inside a Truck
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Ground Carrier
Temperature-Control Equipment
Utilizes commercially available refrigeration and
air-conditioning systems
Widespread support and repair network
While the quietest refrigeration systems are used, the
refrigerated cargo area is not a quiet room
Capable of tighter ranges than USDA required
temperature range of 45F to 85F
Humidity is generally maintained between 40-
70% RH as a byproduct of maintaining
temperature


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Ground Carrier
Temperature-Control Equipment
Emergency temperature-control includes
Redundant temperature-control systems
Auxiliary fans to increase air flow
Emergency fresh air vents

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Temperature Monitoring and
Communications Equipment
Temperature tracking systems
In-cab temperature displays and alarms
Electronic temperature recording devices
Radio temperature alarm pagers for drivers while
away from their vehicle
Remote temperature and GPS tracking devices
capable of alerting central dispatch to exceptions
Temperature
Geo-fencing (unauthorized location alarms)
All drivers are provided with cell phones
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Carrier Procedures and Practices
Animal handling
Feeding and watering
Fresh air access
Proper temperature
Regulatory compliance
Segregation practices to maintain biosecurity
status
Loading practices to safely and securely load
shipments, while maintaining proper airflow
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Carrier Procedures and Practices
Disinfection practices to sanitize vehicles and
holding areas between uses
PPE practices to protect driver and shipment
Security practices
Shipping information security
Trip documentation
Manifest and Bill of Lading
Animal handling records to record USDA
requirements
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Carrier Procedures and Practices
Equipment familiarization
Emergency procedures and strategies for:
Temperature-control failures
Accidents
Safe driving
Recurring training in the form of:
Classes on procedures, practices and forms
On-the-job training

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Trained personnel
Properly handle the
animals
Monitor environmental
conditions
React to emergency
situations

Personnel Are
the Key Element
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Driver Requirements
DOT regulated
Drug and Alcohol screening (pre-employment and recurring)
Pre-employment 10 year work history review
Subject to Hours of Service regulations
Maximum 70 hours per week
Clock reset requires 34 consecutive hours, with at least two 1-5 a.m.
rest periods
Maximum on-duty time 14 hours / Maximum of 11 hours driving
Required 30-minute break during the first eight hours of a shift.
TSA security threat assessment
The industry faces a national driver shortage
No-touch driver jobs are becoming more prevalent in the
industry, making our drivers all the more valuable


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Summary
An effective ground transport system for live
animals will address:
Animal requirements
Regulations
Documentation
Disaster/Contingency planning
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Sources
Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. Sections 2131-
2159)
Animal Welfare Regulations (9 C.F.R. Parts 1-4)
IATA Live Animal Regulations
(Effective 1 October 2013-31 December 2015,
40
th
edition)
Transportation (49 C.F.R. Parts 300-399)

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Thank you


- Questions -
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